Explore Shanghai's rich cultural traditions across its various districts this Spring Festival. From calligraphy and paper-cutting to lantern crafting and games of riddles, the city's intangible heritage comes alive through hands-on experiences that connect to the past with traditional as well as more modern forms of festive celebration.

Pudong New Area

Heritage hunt with Miaomiao the Horse

This themed event follows the story of the mischievous horse Miaomiao, who finds itself in modern-day Pudong. Charmed by the area's unique blend of tradition and innovation, Miaomiao embarks on a journey to recover its scattered celestial memories across five key intangible cultural heritage sites. Visitors can join as "Pudong ICH keepers" to help collect five memory fragments representing the region's cultural essence.

When: Until March 3

Where: Various locations across Pudong New Area

Shanghai velvet embroidery workshops

As a nationally recognized ICH item, Shanghai velvet embroidery steps out of exhibition halls and into daily life through this series. Each month focuses on a different theme, with two instructors guiding participants in creating handmade items infused with velvet embroidery techniques.

When: January to March

Where: One Step Garden, No 34 Jingnan Road

Huangpu district

ICH handmade festival lanterns

This creative workshop brings together two ICH crafts — fabric knotting and rabbit-shaped lantern making — to produce a beautiful lantern that doubles as a work of art, perfect for Spring Festival and Lantern Festival.

When: Feb 7

Where: Xiaodongmen subdistrict community cultural center, Room 101, No 10 Alley 88, Huangjia Road

Movable type printing workshop

Participants will learn the basics of traditional movable type printing, from selecting and arranging wooden characters to safely applying ink and transferring prints onto paper. Everyone can take home their own printed work while discovering the ingenuity of this ancient craft.

When: Until mid-February

Where: Bansongyuan Road community cultural center, No 349 East Xietu Road

Jing'an district

Guochao culture festival at Pengpu town

This guochao (Chinese-style) festival features multiple events, starting with a children's traditional costume competition and ending with a Lantern Festival fair.

When: Feb 1 to March 3

Where: Jing'an IMIX Park & Pengpu town community cultural center

Xuhui district

Longhua Hui Chinese New Year celebrations

Part of the seasonal event series at Shanghai Longhua Hui, the celebrations present a blend of contemporary and traditional Chinese New Year atmospheres, with immersive installations, festive customs, and live performances.

When: Feb 17-21

Where: Longhua Hui, No 2778 Longhua Road

Changning district

Opera performances

The Changning Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center hosts festive opera shows in a teahouse setting, creating an immersive Chinese New Year atmosphere for opera lovers and visitors of all ages.

When: Feb 15-23

Where: Changning Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center, No 95 Beiyu Road

Visual archaeology of the Maritime Silk Road

A phased exhibition that falls under the "Visual Maritime Silk Road" cultural project, this displays works inspired by historical exchanges along the ancient maritime trade routes.

When: Feb 15 to March 3

Where: Changning Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center, No 95 Beiyu Road

Hongkou district

Hall of the Sun Chinese New Year series

A themed ICH market combining cultural displays, creative stalls, and interactive experiences at the Hall of the Sun commercial complex.

When: Until Feb 13

Where: Hall of the Sun commercial complex, No 181 Ruihong Road

Yangpu district

Ink & brush art exhibition

Located in a cultural complex that brings together two national-level forms of ICH craftsmanship in Zhou Huchen brush making and Cao Sugong ink making, this space showcases the techniques behind traditional ink brushes and ink sticks, along with special exhibits such as the world's largest wolf-hair brush and rare works by masters of Shanghai-style calligraphy.

When: Until March

Where: Royal Workshop of Chinese Brush and Ink, Building 16, No 1300 Jungong Road

Dunhuang clay painting workshop

Participants will learn to recreate Dunhuang motifs using mineral pigments on clay panels, blending traditional art with contemporary expression.

When: Feb 14

Where: Dunhuang Contemporary Art Museum, Building 3 South, No 1687 Changyang Road

Baoshan district

Baoshan local cultural & creative products exhibition

Showcasing works by ICH artisans and local creative products, this exhibition highlights the cultural charm and distinctive ICH features of the Baoshan area.

When: Feb 15-23

Where: BeE Park, No 1 Alley 600, Luodian Road

Minhang district

Meilong town calendar poster exhibition

Originally serving as commercial art during the early 20th century, these colorful posters later became a popular form of Chinese New Year decoration in households. This exhibition brings together classic works that reflect the visual language of their time, alongside contemporary pieces created by today's calendar poster artists.

When: Feb 6 to March 3

Where: 1F, Meilong town cultural and sports development center, No 108 Gaoxing Road

Jiading district

Lantern riddle challenge

As part of the recognized Shanghai ICH item "Nanxiang lantern riddles", this district-wide event blends cultural, tourism, commercial, sports, and exhibition elements through online and offline interactions.

When: Feb 14 to March 3

Where: Jiading Library, commercial complexes, and other venues across the district

Anting ICH cultural market

Combining traditional ICH and modern creativity, this market features three zones: ICH demonstrations (including Jiading bamboo carving and traditional cloth printing), cultural products, and festive snacks.

When: March 3

Where: Anting Old Street & Anting town cultural and sports service center

Jinshan district

Jinshan Farmers' painting exhibition

Focusing on the theme of the Year of the Horse, this exhibition displays works by Jinshan farmers' painting artists, capturing festive customs, local traditions, and folk life in vivid detail.

When: Feb 6 to March 6

Where: 2F Gallery, North Zone, Aegean Bingo commercial complex

Shantang Ancient Town folk experience

Try your hand at New Year woodblock printing, porcelain painting, sugar painting, local rice cake making, and more ICH crafts, while also enjoying some traditional games.

When: Feb 16-23

Where: Shantang Old Street

Songjiang district

Zuibaichi Park Chinese New Year fair

The park is hosting over 10 festive activities including photography and calligraphy exhibitions, carving displays, and Kunqu Opera performances.

When: Until March 3

Where: Zuibaichi Park, No 64 South Renmin Road

Qingpu district

Folk culture festival at Huaxin town

Featuring Lantern Festival parades, cultural performances, ICH demonstrations, and a creative trunk market, this festival blends traditional skills with interactive experiences.

When: March 3

Where: Huaxin town cultural and sports service center (Fengxi Branch), No 1081 Fengqiangtang Road

Chongming district

ICH weaving exhibition

A tribute to traditional materials and weaving techniques, this exhibition displays textiles from different regions and allows visitors to experience weaving firsthand.

When: Until Feb 12

Where: Chongming Yongdi Indigenous Cloth Heritage Hall, No 496 Weixing Yongchun, Xianghua town

 

Sources: WeChat account of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism at "shanghaitourism", venues mentioned above